ONS: 09 September 2017

AFRICA: Angolan opposition parties filed a complaint against the outcome of the elections on 23AUG that asserted the 42-year grip of the ruling MPLA party.

AMERICAS: Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro invited bondholders to unspecified “negotiations” over the country’s foreign debt, in response to US financial sanctions.

ASIA: In North Korea, state media marked the nation’s founding anniversary with calls for a nuclear arms buildup, in defiance of mounting international sanctions.

EUROPE: Officials found lists with over 5,000 names of possible targets, including over 100 politicians, during the raids on the homes and workplaces of two terrorism suspects in the east German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern last week.

MIDDLE EAST: Saudi Arabia suspended any dialogue with Qatar, accusing it of “distorting facts”, just after a report of a phone call between the leaders of both countries suggested a breakthrough in the Gulf dispute.

TECHNOLOGY: YouTube shut down two North Korean propaganda channels that academics use to monitor and assess the regime’s missile programs.

Region: The National Hurricane Center says Katia has weakened into a tropical storm as it moves further into Mexico, with wind speeds of up to 45 mph (72.4 kph). (AP)

Brazil: Brazilian prosecutors are investigating the alleged massacre of more than 10 indigenous people by illegal miners operating in the region. (AFP)

Venezuela: President Nicolas Maduro invited bondholders to unspecified “negotiations” over the country’s foreign debt, in response to US financial sanctions. (Reuters)

ASIA

Region: Australia will send troops to assist Philippine forces in the battle against Islamic State fighters in the southern city of Marawi. (Reuters)

Myanmar: Camps will be set up to provide aid for displaced Muslims inside Rakhine state, the first time in a 16-day crisis Myanmar’s government has offered any relief for Rohingya scattered by violence, many to Bangladesh. (APF)

North Korea: State media marked the nation’s founding anniversary with calls for a nuclear arms buildup, in defiance of mounting international sanctions. (AFP)

EUROPE

Region: The UN accused the EU of “turning a blind eye” to the brutality faced by migrants held in Libya, and urged “serious action” to protect them. (AFP)

Germany: Officials found lists with over 5,000 names of possible targets, including over 100 politicians, during the raids on the homes and workplaces of two terrorism suspects in the east German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern last week. (Reuters)

Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the United States over the indictment of a former Turkish economy minister accused of helping Iran evade US sanctions, depicting the charges as a political move against his country. (AP)

MIDDLE EAST

Region: Saudi Arabia suspended any dialogue with Qatar, accusing it of “distorting facts”, just after a report of a phone call between the leaders of both countries suggested a breakthrough in the Gulf dispute. (Reuters)

Bahrain: The US State Department has approved arms sales packages worth more than $3.8 billion to Bahrain including F-16 jets, upgrades, missiles and patrol boats (Reuters)

Syria: The Syrian army and its allies recaptured an oilfield from Islamic State near the eastern city of Deir al-Zor in further advances against the militants (Reuters)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Technology: YouTube shut down two North Korean propaganda channels that academics use to monitor and assess the regime’s missile programs. (GUARD)